Signed book: America’s National Game. First edition, first printing. NY: American Sports Publishing Company, 1911. Pictorial gilt-stamped ribbed blue cloth featuring an image of Uncle Sam at bat, 5.5 x 8, 542 pages. Signed and inscribed in ink on the front free end page, “To my old friend Ivers W. Adams with my compliments, A. G. Spalding, New York, Oct. 13, 1911.” Business man Ivers Whitney Adams (1938–1914) earned a place in baseball history for organizing Boston’s first professional team, the Red Stockings, in 1871. Spalding’s ground-breaking book, which is illustrated throughout with photos (including panoramic fold-out images of Shibe Park and other landmarks), traces the history of the game from antiquity. By the time Spalding reaches the mid-nineteenth century, his close, detailed examination proceeds virtually season by season. Other topics include “Base Ball and Religion,” “Poetic Literature of Base Ball,” “Curved Ball Controversy,” “The Psychology of Base Ball,” and more. Hinges cracked (though remaining attached and easily restorable) and the slightest hint of wear to extremities, otherwise fine, clean condition. A handsome and significant copy of this high point of early baseball literature! Auction LOA Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
